Elk Grove on target for another quantum leap

There was a message scrawled on the front of Elk Grove assistant coach Rob Pomazak's T-shirt as high school football practice officially started across the state Wednesday.

It wasn't the typical slogan produced by many high school football teams. But the target was a pretty clear indicator of what the Grenadiers face this year.

"The expectations are a little higher than last year," said Elk Grove senior outside linebacker-wide receiver Joey Bishoff.

"It's not the same Elk Grove," said senior and third-year starting quarterback-safety-kick returner Nick Meyer. "Obviously last year we flew under the radar and surprised a couple of teams.

"We have a target on our back and (rankings) don't mean squat once the season starts."

It's the first time in decades - probably since the late Don Schnake's teams in the 1970s and early 1980s - expectations have been this great at Elk Grove. Even the 2004 quarterfinalist led by Tim Podulka that won its first 11 games wasn't heavily touted before the season.

But the Grens have 16 starters back from last year's 7-4 team that just missed reaching the Class 7A quarterfinals. There have been high hopes for a long time with this talented senior class.

So one of the first things second-year coach Brian Doll emphasized early Wednesday was handling those expectations.

"It's a big responsibility and we talked to the kids about that," Doll said. "We talked a lot with them that we accomplished some of our goals last year but our goals are different this year.

"Winning a (Mid-Suburban East) championship is a goal of ours. I said when I came here our goal was to win a 7A state championship. And I told them this will be harder than anything they imagined."

Especially with MSL crossovers against three of the West's big boppers in Barrington, Fremd and Schaumburg. The East schedule won't be easy, either.

"It's good, though," said senior receiver-cornerback Eddie Stahl. "The good thing for us is it keeps us focused. We know if we get unfocused at any point it could result in a loss."

Having a chance to win in the final minute with the ball at the St. Charles North 5 in the second round of the playoffs has been a motivator.

And now seniors such as Stahl, who has impressed Doll with his leadership since last season, Bishoff and Meyer know it's their turn to do what guys who graduated such as all-area picks Kyle Pfister and Matt McEnery did last year.

"All of last year's seniors stepped up and led this program and we want to do the same," Bishoff said.

The Grens have one of the area's most dynamic threats in all phases in Meyer. He also has plenty of weapons that include Stahl, Bishoff, Eddie Solorio and Mike Wary.

Bishoff, Meyer, Stahl, Solorio, Greg Jamieson, Jimmy Sanders, Jon Eliades and Kyle Pass now have a full year operating in Doll's aggressive defensive scheme.

And Meyer said one of the biggest differences is the improvement up front, where Martin Kazecki returns to anchor both sides of the ball. Peter Ioakimidis and Justin Cruz now have 11 starts apiece on the right side offensively.

And the excitement that built among the Elk Grove "Nation" fan base last year keeps building. There are also new uniforms and helmets modeled after the University of Oregon and a new scoreboard ready to be lit up by Meyer and Co.

All of which is also part of the bigger and better expectations.

"It started last year when Doll gave us the re-energy we needed," Stahl said. "We want to leave a legacy so future grades can live up to it."

And make Elk Grove a target year after year.